Aims/priorities: The funding is intended to support museums to achieve the following outcomes:
- Become more financially resilient and environmentally responsible.
- Increase the environmental performance of buildings and equipment to help reduce carbon emissions in the museum sector.
- Improve access for disabled people and accommodate diverse user needs.
- Strengthen contributions to local communities and regeneration by preserving landmark buildings.
Who can apply? The fund is open to applications from:
- Non-national Accredited museums based in England.
- Local authorities based in England who are responsible for maintenance of non-national Accredited museum buildings.
- Partnerships between a local authority and a non-national Accredited museum based in England. Lead applicants must be registered with Companies House and/or with the Charity Commission or similar regulatory authority.
Non-national accredited museums who submitted an expression of interest or application in rounds one, two and three can apply to round four so long as the application is for a new project or a new phase of the previously funded project.
Grant amount: There was a total of £23.8 million for Round 4.
Grants of between £50,000 and £5 million are available.
Round 4 activities must start no earlier than 17 April 2025 and no later than 17 May 2025. The deadline to complete activities and claim final payment is 31 March 2028.
Application process: Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has announced £270 million for the creative sectors, as part of an 'Arts Everywhere' fund from the government, beginning in April 2025. The funding is intended to boost opportunity in the sector, creating jobs and growth in cultural venues, museums, libraries and heritage institutions.
Forming part of this new funding, a fifth round of the Museum Estate and Development Fund, worth £25 million, has been announced. This will support museums to undertake infrastructure projects and tackle urgent maintenance backlogs.
More details on how to apply will be made available in due course.
Full details can be found on Arts Council England website.
Deadline: Not specified.
Contact information: Email: enquiries@artscouncil.org.uk